Sharks address NRL form in players meeting

Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen has revealed the team held a players-only meeting on Monday to re-ignite their stuttering premiership defence.

Gallen said coach Shane Flanagan had every right to tear shreds off his men after what he described as "one of our worst performances in the past couple of years" against Canberra.

Ahead of his 300th milestone match, Gallen challenged his teammates to respond as they fight for an all-important top-four spot.

"Flanno let a lot of us know what he thought, which is fair enough. That's his job and it's up to us as a playing group to respond to that," Gallen said on Tuesday.

"We had a good meeting yesterday internally - just the boys - and spoke about where we think we're at. Fingers crossed we can get out there on Friday night and show our resolve, show that we are a tough side and get out there and play well."